Virginia Department of Transportation press release: Paving work will close the Interstate 95 northbound local lanes overnight north of exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) in Stafford County from 11 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23 – early Friday, April 26.

Closing the local lanes will affect local travelers’ ability to merge onto the northbound I-95 through lanes north of exit 133 in Stafford.

When the local lanes are closed, there will be no access to the through lanes of I-95 northbound for any traveler entering I-95 northbound from Route 3 in the City of Fredericksburg. All local lanes traffic will exit to Route 17 at exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton). The on-ramps to I-95 northbound from Route 17 northbound and southbound in Stafford will also be closed during these hours.

Local travelers seeking to enter I-95 northbound between 11 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 23-early Friday, April 26 will detour to Route 17 Business to Route 1 northbound to Centreport Parkway in Stafford. Travelers can enter I-95 northbound at the exit 136 interchange.

Signs and message boards will be posted to guide motorists along the detour. View an online detour map.

Intense paving activity will be underway on I-95 between exits 130 and 136 this spring, as well as on Route 17 near I-95 in Stafford. Crews are finishing construction for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing in May 2024 and for the 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension in June 2024. New travel lanes opened for these projects in 2023. Crews are now applying the final travel surface and pavement markings.

View a full list of scheduled lane and ramp closures on I-95 next week in the Fredericksburg area. Work has been scheduled weather permitting. Please check 511Virginia for updates.

OmniRide: In support of national Take Your Child to Work Day, children aged 17 and younger can ride any OmniRide bus for free on Thursday, April 25.

OmniRide Local and Metro Express are already currently free and will be until at least June. Children can ride any OmniRide Express commuter bus for free on this day, which currently costs $9.00 one way, when accompanied by a paying adult.

This is an opportunity to introduce students, not only to the working world, but also to the many travel alternatives our region has versus driving alone. Riders are encouraged to bring their children along for the ride on an OmniRide Local, Metro Express, or Express commuter bus on April 25 and show them the basics about using public transportation so they can gain confidence as they mature and become independent travelers.

Take Your Child to Work Day, also termed Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, is a national public education program that aims to connect what children learn at school with the actual working world.

For more information on OmniRide services visit OmniRide.com.

I-95 Northbound: Exit 104 (Carmel Church): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 103, just before the interchange at the bridge over CSX railroad tracks for bridge washing.

• Exit 118 (Thornburg): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 117, just before exit 118 (Thornburg), at the bridge over the Matta River for bridge washing.
• Exit 118 (Thornburg): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 119 after exit 118 (Thornburg) at the bridge over the Po River for bridge washing.
• Exit 118 (Thornburg) to Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile marker 121 at the bridge over the Ni River for bridge washing.
• Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Alternating single lane closure at the bridge over Route 1 for bridge washing.
• Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closures on both local and through travel lanes at the bridges over the Rappahannock River for bridge washing.
• Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Sunday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Alternating single and double lane closures on I-95 northbound in the through travel lanes and local travel lanes at mile markers 132-134 for paving.
• Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 132-133 for guardrail as part of 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project.
• Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) On-Ramp Closure: Sunday – Thursday, Midnight – 3:30 a.m. I-95 northbound on-ramp from Route 17 northbound will close. Signs will direct drivers to the detour route.
• Exit 140 (Stafford) to Exit 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville): Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 141 -142 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project. Construction of a noise barrier.
• Exit 148 (Quantico): Sunday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 146-148 beginning at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. All northbound lanes will reopen by 4:30 a.m. for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.

I-95 Northbound and Southbound: Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closures on both I-95 northbound and southbound starting at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. between mile markers 125-126. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Construction of a new overpass of I-95 at Route 17 (Mills Drive).

I-95 Southbound: Exit 148 (Quantico): Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., Single lane closure at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. at mile markers 148-146 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension work.

• Exit 140 (Courthouse Road): Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., Single lane closure at mile markers 139-138 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension work.
• Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 6 a.m., Single lane closure on I-95 southbound at mile markers 135-134 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension work.
• Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) On-Ramp Closure: Sunday – Thursday, Midnight – 3:30 a.m. I-95 southbound on-ramp from Route 17 southbound will close. Signs will guide drivers along the detour route. Various construction activities for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing project.
• Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) Off-Ramp Closure: Sunday – Thursday, Midnight – 3:30 a.m. I-95 southbound off-ramp to Route 17 northbound toward Warrenton will close. Signs will guide drivers along the detour route. Various construction activities for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing project.

Spotsylvania County: Route 608 (Catharpin Road): Thursday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Pipe replacement. Expect alternating, one-way traffic on Catharpin Road between Pawmunkey Road and Nottoway Lane. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.

• Route 649 (Seay Road): Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Milling and paving. Expect alternating, one-way traffic between Post Oak Road and Robert E. Lee Drive. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
• Route 674 (Chancellor Road): Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Milling and paving. Expect alternating, one-way traffic between Old Plank Road and Gordon Road. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
• Route 719 (Days Bridge Road): Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Alternating, one-way traffic on Days Bridge Road at the bridge over Lake Anna for maintenance. Automatic flagging devices will direct traffic through the work zone. Flagging crew members operate the devices, which can be adjusted to respond to congestion.
• I-95 Southbound Exit 126 Off-Ramp and Route 1 Southbound:
  A second right turn lane is under construction from the I-95 southbound off-ramp at exit 126 onto Route 1 southbound. Route 1 southbound is being widened from the off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway with an additional turn lane. A second right turn lane is being added from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway. Traffic islands will be installed along Southpoint Parkway as a safety improvement to allow left turns into driveways but restrict through and left-turning traffic exiting from side streets. Additional right turn lane added to Southpoint Parkway to Route 1 southbound. Project completion in Aug. 2025.
• Route 3 and Orange Plank Road: Utility relocation is underway ahead of construction to modify the intersection of Route 3 and Orange Plank Rd. to a new traffic pattern to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce conflict points. Project completion in spring 2024.
• Route 17 (Mills Drive) Overpass Replacement and Widening: Construction started in Dec. 2020 to replace the existing two-lane interstate overpass on Route 17 with a four-lane bridge. Route 17 is being widened to four lanes until just east of the Hospital Boulevard/Germanna Point Drive intersection. A shared-use path, sidewalk, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be added as part of the project. Project completion was scheduled for late Feb. 2024. The project is now anticipated to be completed in May 2024.
• Route 208 (Courthouse Road) and Hood Drive: Hood Drive is reduced to a single lane between Route 1 and Route 208 (Courthouse Road), carrying only northbound traffic. Southbound traffic should follow the posted detour along Courthouse Road and Route 1 southbound. New right and left turn lanes are under construction at an entrance to a future Veterans Health Administration clinic. Additional turn lanes will be built on northbound Hood Drive approaching Courthouse Road. A raised median on Hood Drive will separate northbound and southbound traffic between Courthouse Road and McGowan Drive. Additional sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be installed at the intersection. Project completion in July 2024.
• Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening: Mudd Tavern Road is being widened to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1. A new secondary access route, Route 2092, will be built parallel to Mudd Tavern Road, and will connect with South Roxbury Mill Road and Dan Bell Lane. Project completion in May 2025.

Stafford County: Route 1: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lane closure on Route 1 at Courthouse Road for permit/utility work.

• Route 17 Northbound: Sunday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 northbound between Short Street and Sanford Drive for I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing construction, near I-95 exit 133 interchange. Project completion May 17, 2024.
• Route 17 Southbound: Sunday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 southbound between Sanford Drive and Short Street for I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing construction, near I-95 exit 133 interchange. Project completion May 17, 2024.
• Sanford Drive: Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic on Sanford Drive between Route 17 and Simpson Drive for paving.
• South Gateway Drive: Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Alternating lane closures on South Gateway near the Route 17 intersection for paving.
• Route 604 (Belle Plains Road): Monday, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic between White Oak Road and cul-de-sac for ditch cleaning operation. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
• Route 616 (Poplar Road): Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Alternating one-way traffic on Poplar Road for milling and paving between Branch Creek Way and Tacketts Mill Road. Flaggers will direct traffic through the work zone.
• Route 630 (Courthouse Road): Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Lane closure on Courthouse Road near Route 1 and Stafford Avenue for permit/utility work.
• Staffordboro Commuter Lot Restriping: Restriping will continue on weekends through late April at VDOT Park and Ride commuter lot on Staffordboro Boulevard, near the Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) and Mine Road intersection. The lot will be closed to weekend parking on the following dates: Saturday, April 13-Sunday, April 14, Saturday, April 20-Sunday, Apri 21 and Saturday, April 27-Sunday, April 28.
• Temporary parking on Sundays for a farmers market held in the Staffordboro lot will be permitted.To find an alternative Park and Ride lot location, visit the VDOT Park and Ride interactive map.

—Virginia Department of Transportation

“Most of the Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors made it clear during a meeting Tuesday night they have no interest in joining a Regional Transportation Authority with Fredericksburg as well as Stafford, King George and Caroline counties,” the Fredericksburg Free Press reports.

I-95 Northbound and Southbound: Exit 126 (Spotsylvania): Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closures on both I-95 northbound and southbound starting at 9 p.m. followed by double lane closures at 10 p.m. between mile markers 125-126. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Construction of a new overpass of I-95 at Route 17 (Mills Drive).

I-95 Northbound: Exit 118 (Thornburg): Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Varying single and double lane closures at mile marker 119, just north of exit 118 (Thornburg), for maintenance repairs to the bridge over the Po River.

• Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alternating lane closures on I-95 northbound in the through travel lanes and local travel lanes between exits 130 (Route 3) in Fredericksburg and exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton) in Stafford. Various construction activities for the I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing project.
• Exit 130 (Route 3) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Monday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 4:30 a.m. Alternating lane closures at mile markers 132-134 for barrier wall removal.
• Exit 140 (Stafford) to 143 (Aquia/Garrisonville): Monday – Thursday, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Single lane closure at mile 142 for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension project. Construction of a noise barrier.

I-95 Southbound: Exit 140 (Courthouse Road) to Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 139-138 beginning at 9 p.m. until 10 a.m. the following morning, except for Friday morning, when all lanes reopen by 5 a.m. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension. Installation of a camera pole.

• Exit 136 (Centreport Parkway) to Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 10 a.m. and Thursday – Friday, 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. Single lane closure at mile markers 135-134 beginning at 9 p.m. Double lane closures at 10 p.m. Two lanes reopen by 4:30 a.m. with a single lane remaining closed until 10 a.m. except Friday morning. Construction for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension.
• Exit 133 (Falmouth/Warrenton): Monday – Friday, Midnight – 3 a.m. I-95 southbound off-ramp to Route 17 northbound toward Warrenton will close at this time for barrier removal. Click here to view the detour.

Spotsylvania County: Route 208 (Courthouse Road): Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alternating single lane closure with flagging near Route 655 (Ridge Road) for guardrail repair.

• Route 601 (Arritt Road): Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mobile lane closures for eradication of pavement markings and painting of fresh markings, near Mica Mine Road.
• Route 601 (Lewiston Road): Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mobile lane closures for eradication of pavement markings and painting of fresh markings, between Lambs Creek Church Road and Worman Drive.
• Route 620 (Spotswood Furnace Road): Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alternating single lane closure with flagging near Route 616 (Ford Road) for guardrail repair.
• Route 621 (Orange Plank Road): Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Alternating single lane closure with flagging near Route 3 intersection for guardrail repair.
• Route 646 (Stanfield Road): Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mobile lane closures for eradication of pavement markings and painting of fresh markings, near Log Acres Lane.
• Route 719 (Days Bridge Road): Thursday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Alternating, one-way traffic on Days Bridge Road at the bridge over Lake Anna for maintenance. Automatic flagging devices will direct traffic through the work zone. Flagging crew members operate the devices, which can be adjusted to respond to congestion.
• Route 1584 (Glen Eagles Drive): Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Alternating single lane closure with flagging between Hazel Court and Sawgrass Lane. Pipe replacement.
• I-95 Southbound Exit 126 Off-Ramp and Route 1 Southbound
  A second right turn lane is under construction from the I-95 southbound off-ramp at exit 126 onto Route 1 southbound. Route 1 southbound is being widened from the off-ramp to Southpoint Parkway with an additional turn lane. A second right turn lane is being added from Route 1 southbound to Southpoint Parkway. Traffic islands will be installed along Southpoint Parkway as a safety improvement to allow left turns into driveways but restrict through and left-turning traffic exiting from side streets. Additional right turn lane added to Southpoint Parkway to Route 1 southbound. Project completion in Aug. 2025.
• Route 3 and Orange Plank Road: Utility relocation is underway ahead of construction to modify the intersection of Route 3 and Orange Plank Rd. to a new traffic pattern to enhance safety, improve traffic flow, and reduce conflict points. Project completion in spring 2024.
• Route 17 (Mills Drive) Overpass Replacement and Widening: Construction started in Dec. 2020 to replace the existing two-lane interstate overpass on Route 17 with a four-lane bridge. Route 17 is being widened to four lanes until just east of the Hospital Boulevard/Germanna Point Drive intersection. A shared-use path, sidewalk, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be added as part of the project. Project completion was scheduled for late Feb. 2024. The project is now anticipated to be completed in May 2024.
• Route 208 (Courthouse Road) and Hood Drive: Hood Drive is reduced to a single lane between Route 1 and Route 208 (Courthouse Road), carrying only northbound traffic. Southbound traffic should follow the posted detour along Courthouse Road and Route 1 southbound. New right and left turn lanes are under construction at an entrance to a future Veterans Health Administration clinic. Additional turn lanes will be built on northbound Hood Drive approaching Courthouse Road. A raised median on Hood Drive will separate northbound and southbound traffic between Courthouse Road and McGowan Drive. Additional sidewalks, crosswalks, and pedestrian crossing equipment will be installed at the intersection. Project completion in July 2024.
• Route 606 (Mudd Tavern Road) Widening: Mudd Tavern Road is being widened to four lanes between I-95 and Route 1. A new secondary access route, Route 2092, will be built parallel to Mudd Tavern Road, and will connect with South Roxbury Mill Road and Dan Bell Lane. Project completion in May 2025.

Stafford County: Route 1 Southbound: Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. Single lane closure between Little Forest Church Road and Woodstock Lane. Utility work under permit. This work will be underway at this location on weekdays through early April 2024.

• Route 17 Northbound: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. – 6 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 northbound between Short Street and Sanford Drive for I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing construction, near I-95 exit 133 interchange. Project completion May 17, 2024.
• Route 17 Southbound: Monday – Thursday, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. – 7 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on Route 17 southbound between Sanford Drive and Short Street for I-95 Northbound Rappahannock River Crossing construction, near I-95 exit 133 interchange. Project completion May 17, 2024.
• Route 610 (Garrisonville Road) Westbound: Sunday – Thursday, 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. Alternating single lane closures on the Route 610 westbound bridge over I-95 for maintenance.
• Route 612 (Tacketts Mill Road): Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mobile lane closures for eradication of pavement markings and painting of fresh markings, between Mill Lane and Graceview Lane.
• Route 616 (Poplar Road): Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. Alternating lane closures for milling and paving between Branch Creek Way and Tacketts Mill Road.
• Route 651 (Kellogg Mill Road): Monday – Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Mobile lane closures for eradication of pavement markings and painting of fresh markings, between Moffett Lane and Shover Lane.
• Staffordboro Park and Ride Lot: The Park and Ride commuter lot near the Garrisonville Road and Mine Road intersection will close on Saturday, March 30 and reopen for the morning commuter rush on Monday, April 1. Crews are closing the lot over this weekend to refresh the pavement markings.

At Fredericksburg, three bridges cross the Rappahannock River to keep traffic flowing at Interstate 95 and points east. West of I-95, the closest bridge is over 40 miles away, increasing congestion and stress for many drivers.

This fueled much discussion at the “Rappahannock River Crossing Parkway Alternatives Study,” a Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization meeting.

On the first map of several set out for the audience to view, an oval line was drawn around an area that took a chunk out of Central Park and a more significant chunk out of Stafford County near the Celebrate Virginia Parkway in Stafford County. “That’s where the data is telling us the traffic is going,” said Brad Shelton, an urban planner with Michael Baker Engineering in Richmond.

FAMPO is studying the potential of a new bridge that would link drivers on Route 17 in Stafford County to Central Park, near the Fredericksburg National’s Virginia Credit Union Stadium on Gordon Shelton Boulevard.

There were lots of opinions, though. “I’m just here to see if it will impact where we are,” said Erica Wright, who lives further west than the oval area of interest. “I’m not sure this is the sweet spot,” said another who lives in England Run Lane in Stafford. “It would be a much wiser choice to use that,” added Bill Scaife, pointing at Celebrate Virignia Parkway on the map.

On the maps, planners identified several bridge locations for a future bridge, labeling them A, B, C, D, and F so attendees could see where their house was in relation to the proposed bridge. A map showing the placements is in the slideshow above.

Options B and C were a little further from I-95. Still, a developer recently unleashed housing plans that almost eliminated B and C. Then there was D, which got plenty of attention, too, and option F, which had the crossing closer to Spotsylvania, near Cannon Ridge.

FAMPO officials said their study comparing and contrasting a range of alternatives for a new bridge over the Rappahannock River west of I-95 between Stafford County and Fredericksburg is the first step in the construction process. They add that a bridge will not be built soon, and the study findings must first be presented to the FAMPO Policy Board.

The Virginia Department of Transportation will eventually be included in the discussion over the new bridge. However, no one from the juggernaut state agency was present at the March 20 meeting, despite the agency allowing the meeting to be held in a conference room at its regional compound in Stafford County.

Although transportation, the flow of traffic, and access to destination points west of I-95 were the main themes of the meeting, some also looked at the environment and wildlife that the construction could impact. Deer, bears, foxes, coyotes, Bald Eagles, and turtles were mentioned, as well as history involving a small cemetery near England Run Lane where Reverend Greaves and his nephew Nathaniel Sanford who are buried, were all decision items.

“Right by the waterfall, there’s four more graves,” said one woman.

A voice came out of the crowd. “They were talking about ‘Tysons Cornering’ this area they were looking at,” one of the Option A Group members said.

Officials collected comments at the comment table, and the comment period will be open through April 19, 2024. There is a survey at fampo.gwregion.org/riverstudy or email comments to [email protected]. Another public meeting will be scheduled for late this summer or early Fall 2024.

Mike Salmon is a freelance reporter for Potomac Local News.

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VDOT will activate a new traffic signal at the Veterans Health Administration clinic entrance in Spotsylvania County, near Fredericksburg.

The traffic signal is on Route 1 between the Mine Road and Market Street intersections. It will initially serve construction and employee traffic before the clinic opens.

The signal will begin to direct motorists after 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27. Its lights will begin to flash on Monday, March 25, as a warning to alert travelers to the upcoming new traffic pattern. Message boards will be posted on Route 1 northbound and southbound approaching the intersection.

The new 470,000-square-foot clinic, Fredericksburg Health Care Center, is expected to serve more than 29,000 Veterans annually in various areas, including primary care, mental health care, specialty care, diagnostic imaging, physical therapy, and more.

In a bold move to accommodate the region’s growing transportation needs, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has unveiled extensive expansion plans that will transform the commuter railroad landscape by 2050.

The proposal was unveiled at the VRE Operations Board meeting on Friday, March 15, 2024. Backed by financial forecasts and strategic ridership projections, it outlines a comprehensive strategy to enhance service frequency, extend operational hours, and cater to burgeoning populations and evolving travel patterns.

Forecasts indicate a substantial surge in operating costs and revenues by 2050, with projections estimating a 136% increase in operational expenditures and a 63% rise in operating revenues. The VRE Board recommends a significant boost in train frequency, particularly during peak periods on the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines. This initiative is anticipated to attract 21,000 weekday users by 2030, with a further expansion to accommodate 4,500 Saturday riders and 3,700 Sunday passengers.

Under the proposed plan, VRE anticipates adding 116 more trains per day, with 68 trains operating on Saturdays and 60 on Sundays. The Fredericksburg line will extend south of Spotsylvania County with a bus service to Hanover County from Fredericksburg. Similarly, the Manassas line will stretch service beyond the Manassas Regional Airport, with a corresponding bus service from Manassas to Culpeper County.

However, future infrastructure constraints loom large, particularly regarding midday train storage capacity in Washington, D.C. Despite identifying a suitable site capable of housing 13 trains, logistical challenges persist, necessitating careful planning to ensure seamless operations. With every six trains arriving in Washington D.C., four will be required to return to Virginia, highlighting the complexities of managing the expanding network.

Ridership forecasts show exponential growth, with an estimated average of 28,100-weekday passengers and 10,820-weekend travelers anticipated by 2050. This represents a 262% increase in ridership since 2014, underscoring the imperative for phased infrastructure development and strategic expansion initiatives.

VRE officials say their transportation service of choice fosters meaningful connections and catalyzes economic opportunities in a safe, sustainable, and equitable manner. However, questions linger regarding the accuracy of population projections amid evolving telework trends, prompting stakeholders to scrutinize the reliability of regional travel models and their adaptability to dynamic socio-economic factors.

In February 2024, VRE saw 6,900 average daily riders, down from 20,000 in February 2020 (a CEO report for February 2020, the last showing its pre-pandemic ridership numbers, has been removed from its website). By comparison, an average of about 4,400 people choose to ride OmniRide commuter buses.

Sarah Romero documented the VRE Operations Board meeting.

According to a press release, Virginia 7 Congressional District candidate Derrick Anderson will turn in more than double the required number of signatures to get on the Virginia ballot today.

The state requires 1,000 signatures to enter the June 18, 2024 Primary Election Ballot. Filing begins at noon today and ends at 5 p.m. on April 4.

Anderson has been endorsed by a slate of Virginia leaders, including Rep. Jen Kiggans, Stafford County Sheriff David Decatur, Greene County Sheriff Steven Smith, Greene County Supervisor Davis Lamb, Spotsylvania County Supervisors Jake Lane and Gerald Childress, and every GOP member of the Stafford County Board of Supervisors. It’s Anderson’s second bid for the seat, losing a June 2022 Primary Election to Prince William County Supervisor Yesli Vega, who is not running this cycle.

The deadline to register to vote or update an existing registration is May 28, 2024. (Voters may register after this date, through Election Day, and vote using a provisional ballot.)

The deadline to apply for a ballot to be mailed to you is June 7, 2024. Your local voter registration office must receive your request by 5 p.m.

The first day of in-person early voting at your local registrar’s office is Friday, May 3, 2024.

Voter registration offices open for early voting on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

The field of candidates for the race for the 7th District seat is crowded. Nine Democrats and 11 Republicans are vying for their party’s nomination. Ranked by the dollars raised, Anderson has the most cash on hand, more than any other Republican in the race, with $464,060.

Yevgeny “Eugene” Vindman, of Prince William County, leads Democrats with over $2 million in cash, many of which come from the national political fundraising platform ActBlue.

Each party’s nominee will go on to compete in the November 5, 2024, General Election.

Incumbent Abigail Spanberger (D) won’t seek re-election to the seat, opting to run for Virginia Governor in 2025. The district (map here) includes eastern Prince William County, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George and Caroline counties, and Fredericksburg.